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ORIGINAL CORREs ; Pu . NDE . \ UE . THE PERSECUTED LONDON' BOOKBIKERS . 10 THS EDITORS OF THE NORTHERS 5 TAR . Gejttlesien . —In again addressing you on 1 ehalf l > f the suffering London bo kbindcrs , permit me respectfully to return yon my sincere thanks for "tout Msd Insertion of my last letter in the colcms * . if your valuable Paper . " . Being confident that too great publicity cannot be given to the cans ? of the London bookbinders , and feeling assured that your * id will not be refused in makine known to the ¦ working men of this kingdom the determined stand which these brave men are caw making against the xajnmon enemies of Trades' Unions , 1 have aeain presumed to trespass upon your favour . Having in jcy last lettPr given a . plain unTarnir ' ned statement of the C 5 » e , I wiH cow proceed to shew the actual necessity which every Trade Society in the kingdom
* re under of giving their sjTapathy and support to the _ Los don bookbinders . * Thes 3 ien , as a Trade Sotaety , have ever bfen noted for the uprightness of ¦ &SCT proceedings , and tteir willicene' -s to subscribe towards any project " th . n . t ever " wa ^ adopted to benefit Trade Societies " : they hare invariably acted « iti principle and consistency towards their en > jiloyers j and are now-sufering the greatest privations toi their honest determination to re .-ist a most nn-Jast inroad npon their privileges , and npen the privileges of every working man who is a member of a Trade Society . It weald be useless in me to attempt to shew the benefits which all working men derive ¦ from uuien , it being well Ynoifn to every ~** m wbo ever gave the subject a fair considerarioB , tkat withont Trades' Unions the working trtirsa - woa'A be deprived of his everv protection . It feas
been argced byrhe Scotch feelosophcr , Chambers , and others of the-syne stamp , tha . t Trades' Union ? are an evil ; but-did this class of reasoners ever for a inamfmt conrid-r that although competition is on 1 ie _ whole necessary , it may be unjustly brougkt into action , and in some instances become " a crimes this can be elscidated in a very plain and simplfc manner , eg fdllowi > -Sf Trades ' * Uuions were annihilated . tiere would soon be a surpltis of hands in the labocr ' anwket , the conseqnenee of which would be a redaction of wages , and many wonld be thrown oct of employment . Starvation and misery "would be tie iate of hundreds who are now respectcble members xA the comianaity ; and if it shoula be asked low these ruinous effe ' ct * are prevented by Trade -Societies , we reply that one of tha greatest ebjecs of those Soiieties is the preventing of needy and
unprincipled men from taking an unlimited ctnnber of « pprecnces which , if indulged in bv masters , " ? rith-*< rat & check , would ultimately act against their own Interest * . Every one knows that a single man can 'sJfjrd to work for a few shillings per week less than "tbe man who has a family depfnding npon him ¦ for support ; and it is an usdeniabte fact tlratif the suaifit was ovf mocked with laboer , and the pro--teerion which kis Trade Society affords tatpn away . lasnj a father of a family would be thrown out o ] '"bread from the competition of the single ebs . who iimself , in rii 9 event of his taking a wife , su _ d b rinsing & family into the world , -wonld be liable to share tne same fate . Oa the othw hand , the master iimaelf wonld bs injured ; every youth he took as - >* B apprentice wonld , at the expiration o ! his apprenticeship , be turned into the labour market , already
'OTCistocked , and would be superseded bv some other "whom the master ¦ was prrpark ^ j to share the same ' ¦ fate . It wonld sometimes happen thai the parent . * of A yenth thus treated wonld furnish him with -money to begin business with , rather thea s * e him "idle : he wonld then solicit the csstoa cf his former ¦ r master , and , in order to compete with him . wohIq follow the exacp ' e of his teacher , and take as si-ny apprentices as he cool i get employment for , taking good care to ase all the 33 phi < rry and eloquence he possessed with the parents of ' tte boy to extract premiums from th-ir pockets . In-short , the bene"fedal protection of Trade Socies . es is absolutel y aecesrary for tae true interests of both , the employer * & «' . the employed , and the bookbinders in London are now undergoing a most virulent persecution fo .-tie maintenance o : this just andiionest principle ; * ad the working classes of ail other trades are iii
duty bound to give thsic every sapoort , or , neglecting so to do , they may depend that every unprinci pled master ( and there are soch in every trade ) will begin to prosecute , for eo ^ spira ^ v , all men who take an * cDve part in promoting Trade Societies , as the -combination or moneymoiigrrs in London are now doing . Let working men . therefore , make this a -qnesdon at their next SociefrV meeting , and they ¦ will -see the justness of the position , of the London bookbinders , and their true worthiness of support . -RemeiEbF-r the Combin-atioi Cotnraftrees throTighout "Ike kingdom wera lately argauksd for the protection T > f the same principle which the sixteen bookbinders sxe indicted as coEjpTrator * f ? r nphol : isg . Come ferwarJ . then , working m = n . to the assUtance oi B ^ -cggling virtue ; let not M ammon srrassle humanity : asitare the question in , ~ onr various Trad " ^ Societies , and victory will soon crown your united efforts .
SineereTv h < jp : i : g that tat bookbinders of Londc may meet witi tie su sport frhich tbsir cause a . r thffr conduct deserves . '
iTemain . Gentlemen . . Yoi ^ -s . in true sincerity , Ax ESEMT TS OPP . IESSIOS Manchester . June f ? n 3 . ! £ . ¥ .
-JO THE EDITORS O ? THE S 03 THBBS STAR . ' Gestlemen . —VThen I recommended the people -of England to let Lord Ho-sick see that they hid more sense and patriotism than- to tasehis hint , and virgin *• to kill aad bum , "— wb . en I advised them to place themselves in a position thafwoHld teach Thit Statssman (? J n ^ ver agais to faugh and jeer at thsir Tejpectfoi peiinras , —when I urged the people ef Ecfflaai to ana . in defence of taeirlires , liberties , and proper ^ , —I was charged with many crimes . 1 ¦ was said Va be a traitor , an itcendiarv , ' a disturber of the peace , and I know not what besides . ' Th = people were assured that my advice was illegal . a . nd that they had no right to . arm ! I persisted ,
however , in the jusdeaatd legality of the advice ' I had given—the more the enemies of the people raved , sad stormed , and threatened , so much the more did 1 nrge tipon them , tl ^ e absolute necessity of imme&iiely providing themselcee with weapons of de-Jence— and what is now the result ? Why . " that . Lord John Ru « sfl ! , perceiving that the people ' were determined to arm , and kaowinz that they were justified bylaw in de-ing so , has absolutely ' offered to find them arras , and has -recommended tnem to ¦ enrolthemselves i ? i apned assoiAa- 'ions ! Surely , notr . the most timid will be sati-iied Vlo 1 my advice vis legal az £ just .
I rejoice , Gentlemen , that this matter is now for fiver set at rest ; and I most earnestly recommend flie people everywhere , in cities , towns , and villagey . to act upon the advice of Lord John ' Russeil ; and xhni prove te the Gorernmert that their object is not , nor sever wa =, the destruction of property , but solely that they are determined Vo- maintain " their constitntioEal rights , and to teach- the enemies of t ' noss rights , that the peop ' : e of England are not to "be laughed at any more with impunity , either ¦ fay lords , or lordlings . urhen they jire constitutionally seeking what die Constitution grants . Oh , that I could indues the people of England to follow this my last advice—viz . universall y to act upen the suggestion of Lord John Rcs-elL fVe shall thai assuredly have no more laughing at £ 4 f petitions or th £ people . 1 rejoice everywhere to witness the best feeling between the military andthepeopla . I feel quite confident that Ministers will not be able to get u ? the intended
revoliriaan-Ihave lately been is several Xsw Poor Law Caions , where it is told you , ia Yorkshire , " that zhe 3 sew Poor Law works " well . " . Believe me . it is a tie—a barefaced , wicked lie MI hars met wirh no siflgle instacce , either of ratepayer or panper . -who does not detest the law . Xay . * I am assurjd , £ » every huta 7 ice . by ths ratepayers . " that the rates ^ ar heatter under ihs new law ' then they were rnder tb . e old law ;; How diffarant this to the tal-= tsM in the North . It U the general opinion tliit the swinuat at abandoned- -whether it be repealed or aiot Many ratepayers ha-re assured me that the xedy supporters of the law are a few Ministerial tools , and thoje who hold offices with = alarie * I « 3 oice to teli you , that , last Monday . , the Board of Cnardians m this Union resolved to ' pe ' dtion to hav » U 15 L nion dissolved , only one Guaician ( as 1 wa = B&nnei ) voting for the continuance of the Union " ;
I bare been visiting a friend in the Louehboroueh ^ moa , wao assured ma that his rates were nearl y tnsbfed smce _ die Lnion was established , i . e . rine ' e Abintroduction of the new law ; and the poor are ^^ rr * ^ lQ v ^*? S : where ^ Northern A ^ ir had nerer been heard of . and where the » adtetors - were unknown—a labourer I talked Vth , ^ expected no good till the new big houses ( Union worth pn ^ were aH burnt down . " This was not S » e effect of Tozrr exertions , nor of mine . It was ¦ produced by the law itself , which was their unsophisticated manner of speakine . If I were to tell yon of the horrid cruelties that 1 tare ascertained to be perpetrated in the * . Unions . * y the officer * of the- accused- law , they could noi be be lief 1 hare seen Tears trictle down the t ^ e ks of ^ adie ^ as tiey have' described the horrid
I onrs truly , "Richard OiETLrR . « , ^» ~! ' ^ lette / from Pad ^^ k . infona ^ ns me 5 * 1 £ ¦ ? *» ted to pay for ths" defence of S JK * r boi « from that nflage . Do . prav dc . vigelieb ^^^ % L % t ^^ ° f ^™ Kotdnguam JMaj 24 ; h , ~ lS 39 R > ° "
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SO Irlii iSUiloita u * ' Ttiii ^ Ulil niiri ii bU » . Glasgow , 23 th May , 1 S 33 . Gentleiiek , —We having been appointed Treasnrer and Secretary to a Committee herf , for the purpose of collecting subscription ? in aid of the Rt _ v . J . R . Stephen ? , remit you as per draft £ 20 . being tho am : unt yet received . We have to request vour acknowledgment of the same , the insertion o : this lifttpr , and of the subjoined list in the first Xotlhern Star , which will be held sufficiect by the -Dbscriber ? , ard exonerate us . We are sorry * that the various demands upon the working classes here have been greatly ths CMse of delay , and of the smallness of the s ' um ; but the snbscriptiens are stili coins on , and feel a * snrvd we will remit the remainder as soon as it £ oines to our hands . Charis ; Mathisox , Treasurer . Alesa > teb Louttit , Secretary . £ s . d . East Woodside Factory 1 4 2 > Nursery Factory ..- 0 IS 0 Ferguson ' s Factory 0 8 3 Jackson's Factor } " 0 2 6 Clyiebank Factcry 0 1 C John R . o ~ en .. _ 0 5 0 St . Rollar Secret Wcrks 0 11 1 Oak Bink -Fdctory 0 6 0 Teulers Meekieroys 0 3 0 Hallers ... ~ ' . 0 2 6 Ferguson ' s Factory 0 16 St . Rolear Spinning and Weaving
Faetorf 0 9 11 From a f-f Friends , R . Rcbinsoc ... 0 10 9 United Joiners , William Menzies ... 0 17 10 Do . -do . Alexander Stewart ... 0 6 0 Calico Printers , William M'Col ? ... 1 0 9 Do . do „ .. 3 8 0 Clyde Bank Factory 0 8 9 Smith ' s Factory ..... " 0 6 6 Stepier . s ' s Factory „ .. » .. 14 6 D . Marshal ' s JoiiTers 6 7 6 Corbit Alexander ' s Factory „ 0 15 b \ Do . do . " ... „ 0 11 1
¦ Journeymen Baker ' s Union 0 5 0 271 , M . Robinson „ 0 3 5 -518 , do 0 5 0 Do . do „ 0 9 S One for a few Fri-nds ¦ . 0 8 6 P . Wright and his Friends 0 9 6 John Graham , throngh A . L 10 0 295 . 3 s . 3 d . and Is . 0 4 3 Humphrey and Sons Power Loom Factory _ . _ 0 11 0 Mr . Saul ' s Power Loom Factoiy 0 4 9 Murr .-. y ' s Jciners , J . M . Arthur 0 13 9 Smith ' s Joiners , Renfield-srreet 0 9 \\
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O'CONNELL AND THE HOUSEHOLD SUFFRAGE HUilBUG .
To the Editor of the Birmingham Journal . London , 30 th . May , 1 SJ 9 . Sir , —Id your paper of Saturday , the 25 th of May , you inserted a letter from Mr . P " . H . Muntz . to the editor of the ^ oriicern Star . I read that iettrr vrirh great pleasure , and some -regret ; pleasure , at perceiving that Mr . Mis&tz . ani oihrr liberal leaders of Birmingham , felt no reseutm-nt at their rec = r . t desertion by the great body of the operatives of Birmingham , and that be was as firm In the assertion of kis pnnciples , as if no such untoward event had taken _ place . Bnt regret at its appearing that he was disposed to relax his efforts in the caus ? cf reform , and to leave it to tima to correct the errors into which the people have fallen .
la this 1 ilaak he is greatly mistaken . It is the anty of popular leaders consiaudy to agitate ; that i s , constantly to bring before the public mird tbe rrnl ? tate of political effair * . and unremittingly to point out the sound and rational mode * of obtaiuicg redress lor existing grievances . >" o less of " popular confidence can justify , or even palliate , the abandonment of exenion in the public cause . The more the people-are wrong , the more necessary is it to po : nt eut to them , with good temper and " good leelxcg , the right paths they should pursue . It is
quite tree that Mr . Muntz Las done nothing to forfeit the confidence of any part of Ms fellow " . iown > men . But it seems tome to be equally tru " that it is his duty to himself , and to the cau * e of reform , to demonstrate that he deserved that confidence by never relaxing in his efforts to obviate t ^ e impediments in the way of the amelioration ot our institutions , whether these impediments are produced by the machinations of a selfish oligarchy , on the one hand , er flung across our pa'h by the faults and fallacies of the people themselves on the oth- ^ r . ;
To sht-w that I am reac ! y to practise what I preach to other ^ I have written an address to the Chartists of Birmingham , which I respectfully request yoa will ( if yoa can afford space fcr it ) " insert in your Journal . I put my name to it , so that no man may involve you in the opinions which I put ' . o .-ward . should you difivr from me in tho view 1 take of the subject .
I have the honour to be , \ our obedient servant . Dasiel O'Coxxell
Tf , t / . e Chartists of Birmingham . London , 30 th May , 1 S 32 . " T . ' iere is but one magic in politics , and that is , to lr'S > 't- Juniui . Brother Reforkers , —There are many uoint « o . the greatest importince upon which we agree . In truth , upon the great . pra . ' «>/« of reform we scarcely aitieratall . O ^ r difference consists chifflv in t :. i ' , —that yon deem one mode of acrisn the most conducive to attain your objects ; and that J consider anotner mode more likely to obtain all ihat is desirabletowards the amelioration cf our political institutions . But the difference in this respect i » verv extensive ; becansel kare convinced myself t = at your mode of action does not assist , but , on the contrarv . pDwerfnlh impedes , the progress of Reform . I ,., ' n
con \ inced that , instead cf advancing that cau < e . you are retarding it , by increasing the number of its enemies ? , diminishing tbe number of its friends , engendering a spirit of suspicion of your motives , aid creating a rational apprehension for the s ^ niity of the social state and of individual property . It seems to ms that , although you intend to ? erve oar cause , you have placed yourselves , practically , amidst i : s worst enemies ; and that the near approach to the extension of the franchise , to the protection of the votrr , to ths equalisation cf representation , aad to the shortening of Parliaments , has , for the present , been stopped by the unwise ( and , in many instances criminal ) manner in which the Chartists have conducted themselves in various parts of the country .
Brother Reformers . ' I do not address the \ iolent and unthinking portion of your body . It would be in vain to argue with them . But I d ; address the many—for there must be very many , of the rational and sober-thinking portion of the Chartists . 1 ask them to weigh the advice which I giye them—not with a view ro obtain any attention on the score of my authority—but . in the hope that they may soberly consider the arguments I adduce , and give their reason and judgment fair play in deciding upon those arguments . In the first place , then , I ask yon to consider whether you have not adopted an exceedingly bad principle—that of " exclusiveness ; " whetherVou do not exclude from any _ co-operatisn with you . all othtfr classes ef the nation except yourselves ? You
exclude—First , —The aristocracy ; amongst whom , it is true , are to bj f jund that oligarchy which has plundered and oppressed yon , and which desires tj continue that p . ucder and oppression . But still there are amongst taat aristocracy several honest friends of peacetul Reform ; who , though they do not go the whole way with you , yet are ready to ' bs the enemies of your enemies ; and to be friendly , to a certain extent , to your exertions . Bat all these vour orators peremptorily exclude ; nay , they go so far as to denounce them -all ; and thus , they necessarily augment the number of those hostile to reform . Secondly , —You . commit a greater blunder « iill still a more criminal mistake ; because you exclude i .-om co-o ? _ eration with jou all the middle classes of society . ' "i our orators denounce the middle clas = as the enemies of the operatives . How can you be so foolish as to listen to these orators ? The middle class have the game interest in good
and cheap Government that you have . The middle class are mach too numerous , not to inciude an overwhelming majority of persons , who , instead of sharing in the public plunder , are themselves the sufferers by that peculauoa and plunder in which the oligarchy rejeice . Nay , in truth they are—almost totally , and certainly to a very considerable extent—identified with yourselves . An industrious and successful operative becomes at once a member of the middle class : an unthrifty or tinsuccessful middle man necessarily leaves his family to miuglr , upon equal terms , with the operatives . The -weigiit of taxation presses on the middle class , wi : n a comparatively equal pressure as it does upon ths operatives . An immense majerity of tne middle class are excluded from the elective franchise ; and they could not obtain an extension of that franchise , without its necessarily reaching the orperativi s .
Why , then , be so unwise , as to calumniate , traduce , and vilify , the middle classes ? They are the muscle and sinew of the p-lineal body—you may he the blood , end boae ; but the combination of boti is essentiall y necessary to strength , and eveH to vitality . You do all you can to throw the middle classes into the hands of the Ann-Reformers . Surely you must be enlightened enough to know , that there never has been a salutary alteration in the isstitutions of any country that was not brought about by tne _ aid , and with the co-operation , of the great majority of the middle classes . And yet these are tne persons whom your orators and leaders vili v atd disgust .
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Tniruly , — You exciude troinauy co-operation witu you all Reformers , -whether of the aristocracy , or of the middle class , or of the operatives ^ themselves , who do not agree with you in everything , and go the full lenath of your Charter . You are intolerant of any difference of opinion . He who does not agree with you in everything , is not allowed to agree with yr . u in anything . You aff = ct to look for liberty , but you begin by establishing a tyranny over others . They mnstnotdare to differ from you ; else they are excluded and denounced . You do not do by them as you would be done by ; for you take from them that freedom of mind Which , it is your boast to claim for yourselves .
Fourthly , —There is another species of tyranny that has disgusted your friends , and increased your ent-mios . You have refused to allow public meetings te be held for any purposes but your own . You have either overpowered by your numbers , or confounded by your clamour , meetings held for useful , legitimate , and reformin g purposes . Moderate Reformers are not allowed to assemble , to carry their own views into effect . You—the Chartistscontroul and prevent them . A few violent persons can easily disturb and brealc up a public meeting , however well organised . The clamour of a minority can , at all times , prevent the speaker of the majority from being heard . Of this facility you have availed yourselves ; you have , in Birmingham , interrupted a lecturer who discussed the horrors of war , or some other useful topics , to au audience unconnected with politics . In another place , the Chartists overpowered a lecturer against the Corn Laws .
This is a tyranny , which , of course , daily augments the number of your en&mies , as of course it renders your succ-jss impossible . If the legislature were to pass an act prohibiting all meetings except those favourable to the dominant party in the state , every one of you would exclaim against the tyranny—the atrocious tyranny of such an enactment . And yet , without law , you do precisely the same thing , and vitally disparage your claim * to a participation in real legislation . Fifthly , —Your orators talk sometimes disguisedly ,
and with caution , but net the less intelligibly , and at other times openly and without disguise , of effectuating your purposes by physical force anc violence . The oft-repeated expression of one of yonr speakers , has acquired a proverbial familiarity , as well as the terseness of a proverb , ' ' peaceably if we can , forcibly if we must . ' Now , this is the extreme of absurdity and criminality . It comes literally within the law of high treason ; and if your strength was sufficient to create apprehension in the mind of the Government , many of the dupes of such doctrines as I have stated would
incur imprisonment or transportation , or perhaps d ^ ath ; especially when followed up , as such language has been , by a recommendation to take arms . But these doctrines are absurdly criminal in another point of view . In the pre .-ent complicated state of soci-ty in Eogland , there is riothing that could inflict such horrible mieery upon the operative classes , as a revolution by -violence . The operatives live themselves , and support their families upon weekly wages . They have no reserve of stored provisions or saved money . The only mode in which taey can supput their families is by the receipt of weakly w = g--s . Suppose , then , you were successful in raising a saEgmuary rebellion , the master mauufact-jrers wculd of necessity be compelled to stop work , ail the manufactories would necessarily be closed ; wages would cease , and the means of paying wages would be takrn away . What could the hundreds and thousands of operatives , auJ . the millions of ¦^ 'honi their families are composed , do for provisions ?
It is true that they migi , t subsist for a week or a fortnight upon the plunder of the other c ' asses , and involve all those classes in equal misery with themselves ; but after that short period , where could they tiad subsistence ? AiUr w ^ ges bad cease : ! , and plunder been exhausted , where could subsistence befoucd ? Yes , success in your plans would prodice the most unmitigated misery to yourselves ; and you are embarked in a career in which , under the pretence of seeking the rediess of existing grievances , you would plunge yourselves into misery indescribable and remediless . " But you cannot possibly succeed . In any attempt at violence you would be opposed by all just and reasonable operatives themselves ; by the middle class , strong and vigorou ? , aud abhorrent of any change that would endanger the social state ; by all the power and wealth of the aristocracy ; by the concentrated force of the armed yeomanry ; and by the organization , skiil , and resistless power of the entire British army .
Sixthly , —See whftt an accumulation of opposition to the cause of Reform you would create , if you were sufficiently fetrorg . You would make men tremble for their property , and therefore range themselves against yeu — you wonld make men apprehensive for their lives , and therefore hostile to your purposes—you would organise against you the wealth , the strength , and the intelligence of the state—in short , if a vicious ingenuity had been exercised to find out the best method of preventing Reform , it scarcely could have alighted upon aay scheme so effectual as encouraging tha doctrines of the torch and dagger , and physical force Chartisrs .
I do not say these things to you in any spirit of bostiity or of anger . I say them in deep sorrow and mournful regret . You have grievances which ought to be redressed . You have rights which ought to be asserted and achieved . And if you would but listen to your former and your once successful leaders—ii von would but follow their counsel , and aid their efforts—much of what you justly complain of would be redressed , and much of what you desire would be attained . You would be on lie secure road to obtain the entire . * See how many points there are , en which we
thoroughly agree . We agree that the elective franchise should be as extensive as is practically possible . We agree that the voters should be protected from temptatioD to corruption , and , above all , from intinoiialion—by the ballot . Wa agree that the duration of Parliament should be diminished . We agree that the property qualification should be abolished . YA e agree that the representation should be by distric-s of equal population . Jn short , weagree ' upon all the great essentials of a complete and satisfactory reform . We differ only as to the means of carrying out the .- 'e principles .
_ My experience has taught me that the most practical mode * of success are those which are essentially peaceable and plainly constitutional . My reason tells ine , that any other mode is essentially dangerous , and my conscience informs me that any forcible attempt is in its nature criminal . In plain truth , physical force could not possibly be successful , except in the eveat of tb . e overwhelming majority of the nation being of one opinion on the subject of reform ; and if that majority were sufficiently numerous to render physical force safe , it would also be sufficiently numerous to render any violence unnecessary .
If the topics , which I have thus addressed to the Chartists cf Birmingham , have any influence over their minds , the period appears to have come when the rational and sober part of the operatives ought to separate from the men of violence and of blood ; and to rally round their old , well tried , and honest leaders , the Attwoods , the Sclaolerields , and the Muntzes , and the other men who led them formerly to victory . Let a new association be formed . Leta fresh council be nominated ; let the association come forward as the friends of " Peace , law , and order ; " and as the harbingers of peace , of union —ays . and of success .
Let me discuss with you the basis of such an association . First—dismiss _ the words " Universal Suffrage , from your political vocabulary ; simply , because while upon th ? one hand they create alarm , they do not mean what the persons who make use of them really intend . The true meaning of the words " Universal Suffrage" it—that every humaa being should have a vote , females as well as males , minors as well as a'iults . Now , nobody really intends that ; for even the Chartists themselves exclude from what they call " Universal Suffrage" —first , all the females , althongh they compose one-half of society , and although females are allowed to vote at the East India House in the disposal of the fate of one hundred millions of our fellow-creatures in . tae East Indies , and in the nomination of those -who have the disposal of the public property , to tha amount of millions in the Bank of England . Yet the Chartists exclude them—and properly exclude them —from what they improperly term " Universal Suffrage . "
Secondly—Chartists exclude from their " Universal Suffrage" all grown men of eighteen , nineteen , or twenty , although these persons include fully onetenth of the male population of the country . Thirdly—the Chartists exclude from their " Universa ! Suffrage" all persons convicted of disgraceful crimes . Fourthly—they equally exclude all idiots and lunatics . Thus , therefore , the " Universal Suffrage" of the Chartists is an expression not conveying an accurate idea ; and should be dismissed at once upon that account—namely , its want of truth .
Let us substitute for " Universal Suffrage" other and truer words—namely , " Household Suffrage , " and let us see whether thi ' s substitution be not absolutely necessary ; or , at all events , highly useful to ascertain the district in which alone the voter should exercise the franchise . It is clear that a man should not acquire a right of voting by roeiely coming into a district—that a residence of at least six months should be necessary m order to qualify the voter ; that is , six months ' residence in a house within the district enabling the person who makes out the list of voters , to identify the individual with a particular house or residence . Thus , therefore , the residence being essential to qualification , a particular house must be described as that in which the qualifying residecce takes place . This i ? , therefore , a quality of the franchise strictly reqmriEg the descrip tion ol ' Household Suffrage . " Here arises a most important question—whether Household Suffrage is to be limited to the occupier
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of an entire house . or to be ex ( ended to severai per . sons , eac > occu ^ g ^ severalc t of the h ( £ ^ It w plain , aat lt is e u ftonssnold Suffrage whether » t j 8 limited to the occupation of a whole louso , pr includes each separate part of the house . ft * y afiswer therefore , to the question is , that Household Suffrage , within the very terms , may include—first , all mule adults who occupy an entire house ; secondl y , male adults who occupy only a portion of a house , and who either are , or have been married , so as to come within the class of heads of families ; thirdly , all male adults occupying obIy part of a house , but having served a regular apprenticeship to auy trade—this would include all operatives , being journeymen ; and . fourthly , all male adu . ts , occupying only part of a house , but being teachers or professors of any science or branch of learning .
Thus , Household Suffrage , in this view , while it has the advantage of ascertaining the six mouths ' residence of the voter , to be within the electoral district , would include the two categories of male adults . First—those supposed to belong to the class of heads of families , either by occupying an entire house , or having married . And secondly—a class of individuals , qualified by the educated labour of apprenticeshi p , or the education of science or literature . ' I respectfully submit to every intelligent and honest Chartist , that when I include ia Household
Suffrage all heads of families , ( whether occupiers of entire houses , or only lodgers ;) and all journeymen in trades ; and all teachers of literature or science , —I go as far as the words " Universal Suffrage" could , for practical purposes , carry me . And , secondly , that until wo shV . l have obtained this my " Household Suffrage , " it will be idle and ridiculous to quarrel upon the question whether the suffrage should be carried further or not . Get this much first , and do not wrangle about the siQiposei refidce , until yoa ascertain whether practically there will be auy .
The second basis of the new Association should be ballot—the honest ballot . Whoever votes by ballot , his vote is his own , and he can bestow it as he thinks fit . It is almost the only mode of securing against corruption . It is , literally , the only mode of preventing intimidation . A third princi ple of the new Association ought to be—fixed triennial Parliaments ; thatis , Parliaments not liable to dissolution within the period of three years . I do not , 1 confess , like Annual Parliaments . The elections would be matters , rather of impulse than of mature selection . Tfcey would be too frequent and too common tohave that weight and that importance , which triennial elections would ensure .
The f « urth basis of the , new association should be the abolition of the property qualification . Any man competent to be an elector , should be competent to be elected . There is no property qualification in Scotland , or for the Universities . Why should there be a property qualification in Englind , or in Ireland ? Besides , what stronger proof can there be given , that a man is qualified to sit in Parliament , than that he is the free choice of a free constituency ? Fifthl y—The representation ought to be by electoral districts of , a < Eearly as possible , equal population . The present system is ludicrous . Some towns , with less than 200 voters , have as many representatives as Birmingham or Manchester . This absurdity sught to be abolished as speedily as possible .
What I propose is this—that the old and faithful leaders of the people of Birmingham , should come forward and organise a new association ; cull it by what name they please—union , society , or club—or by the more lengthened name of " Precursor of of Reform Association . " Let all tfcat are honi-st and intelligent —( and they must he numerous)—rally round tkeir old friends , and select , in addition to them , new ones , to manage their political affairs . Let not only the words "Peace , law , and order , " be upon the banners , but let the spirit of peace be upon their lips , and in their hearts . Let good order regulate all their movements ; and let there be no violation of the law—save by their enemies . So shall they succeed . If they begin even with small numbers , let them neither despair , nor ceaso to agitate . _ Right , reason , and justice , are with us ; and there is no magic in politics , like having right and justica at our side .
It is a monstrous iniquity that the elective franchise should be in the hands of so small a proportion of thepeople of England . It is scarcely endurable that , in t ; is great country , there should be a master class having votes , and , therefore , by themselves and their representatives , making all the laws ; and , on the other hand , a slave class , having nothing to do with the laws but to obey them , and to suffer their pressure and infliction . Th « Reform Bill ha 3 failed . It did not go far enough . It has created a . capriciously selected class of voters , obnoxious to intimidation , and liable to corruption . It has increased the bribery , the perjnry , the villany , of the unreformed system . It is disgraceful to the country and insulting to its people . It would have been already stripped of its abuses , and improved in its principles , but for the diver-ion in its favour that has been made by Chartist violence .
Re f ormers of Birmingham , of every class ^ -I address you . In your country ' s cause listlessness and a athy are crimes . Reflect upon the advice I give you . It is not material from whom that advice comes . It is material to consider its nature and tendency . If you unite again , you will become certainly strong , and probably irresistible . If you continue in division , or B \ nk into apathy , you will degrada yonrselves , and injure youi country . I have the honour to be , Your faithful ssrvant , Daniel O'Connell .
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THE WOOLWICH MURDER . The Lnquest . —On Tuesday morning an inquest was held before Mr . Carttar , at the RojalOrduance Hospital , Woolwich . Among those present were Lord Bloomfi ^ ld , commandant of the garrison , a number of officers , and several county magistrates . The prisoner was brought into the room handcuffed . He is a native ofDorset , and only nineteen years of agel He appeared perfectly unconcerned , and listened to the examination of the witnesses with the greatest indifference . He had only been in the regiment twelve months . Several witnesses were examined , butno additional evidence was _ adduced , they merely deposing to seeing the prisoner firing at the deceased , and the latter fall .
Mr . Richardson , assistant surgeon at the hospital , stated that there was a gun-shot wound in the back and another in the breast , in a direct line with it . The ball had entered the back and gone out at the breast ; he had made a post mortem examination of the chest , and found that the ball had shattered the centre of the right lung , passed through , the right ventricle of the heart , and fractured three ribs . Death must have been instantaneous . Richard Quick , a private iu the 2 nd Battalion of Artillery , was acquainted both , with the prisoner and the deceased ., He recollected on Saturday last remarking to the deceased , that he had plenty ot guard mounting , to which he replied , " Yes , ocly wait until to-morrow . " Witness then asked him to explain what he meant by " to-morrow , " but that he refused to do , observing , " Oh , never mind , wait and yoa will see . ' The prisoner considered that deceased had an ill will against him .
John Robinson , ' another private in the 2 nd battalion , gave the prisoner an indifferent character . WitnesB always considered him to be of a most sullen disposition , and a bad soldier . He was also very slovenly in his habits . George Powell , a private , said he had heard the prisoner say " He would serve out the orderly . " The orderly , _ vrhose name is Margery , was afterwards called in , a : > d deposed to various acts of inattention to military duties which the prisoner had been guilty of . The prisoner said he did not wish to make any defencfi .
After a few minutes' deliberation , the jury returned a verdict of " Wilful murder" against the prisoner , who , upon hearing whicn , remained uumoved , evincing the same apathy he had done throughout . Tue coroner having issued his warrant for the committal of tha prisoner to take his trial at the next Sessions of the Central Crimiaal Court , he was shortl y after taken in a hackney-coach to Newgate .
CONFESSION-OF THE MURDERER . On Tuesday afternoon the prisoner George Willies , at the termination of the coroner's inquest , was again examined before Sir John Webb , Captain Fead , R . N ., and Adam Young , Esq ., on the charge of murdering his sergeant-major , William Shepherd , and the evidence adduced was to the same effect as that given before the coroner . This step was considered necessary in consequence of the prisoner having in the first instance been examined before Sir John Webb , previous to the coroner issuing his mandate for an inquest to be held on the body of Shepherd . Willies declined making any defence before the magistrates , and at the conclusion of his examination they made out his commitment to Nexgate , and it was placed in the hands of Mr .
Watts , the high constable , who also held the coroner s warrant for Willies ' a committal , but he couM not legally beremoved by the authority of the latter , as from the time he was delivered over by the military tothe civil power , he had been ia the custody of the magistrates . At five o'clock a carriage , with post-horses , was as privately as _ possible drove in at the back entrance of the Royal Ordnance Hospital , and the prisoner , with his wrists handcuffed , was assisted into the vehicle by Mr . Watts , and two cohsUbles of Woolwich , named Jarratt , and Samuel Watts , who accompanied the prisoner to town . An immense crowd of persons during this time were waiting in an excited state to witness the departure of Willie ? , and so great was the pressure upoR the iron rails that surrounded the hospital , that < n » of them was broken , and two young men in . the
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employ ot Mr . Pettigrew , tailor , cf Woolwich , were apprehended by the sentry on dnty , atd subsequently examined before the magistrates and discharged , on witnesses coming forward and giving them a good character . By some means as the carnage containing Willies was leaving the hospital the crowd got intimation of it , and tie scene that occurred defied descri ption . It was followed by thousands of civilians and military fornearly aquarter of a mile , and the prisoner was assailed with loud hooting and yelling . The indignation thus expressed by his former comrades and the public did not in the slightest degree affect WilliesT who frequently joked with the constable Samuel Watts , about persons residing at Lymington , to which both the prisoner and the constable formerly belonged . It will have been observed that there was
no evidence brought before the inquest to show whether the musket was loaded by Williss or anybody else , and on their way to town the high constabh observed , " Willies , you have not told us how you loaded the piece ; " and the prisoner then stated that he with the rest of the gunners quartered in No . 11 , barrack-room , all came on to the para ^ t ? together on Sunday morning , and that afterward ? he returned to the room , and , no other person \ jeing present , loaded his musket , and while he was doing so he heard his name twice calk-d over oa the parade by tho orderly . He added that ue shot the aecsased because he thought he was against him , but denied speaking to him on the parade , as stated by the orderly , M'Gorey . He stated that his father and
mother were both living , and resided at Lymington . He had also an uncle and aunt who kept an inn at Dorchester . Willies represented that he enlisted at the same time and in company witti Charles Chiddy , the artilleryman who blew his brains out in so determined amanner a month since . The prisoner followed this up by saying that it was his determination to have committed self-destruction after he had effected his parpose if an opportunity presented itself . A few minutes before six o ' clock the prisoner arrived at Newgate , and was delivered over to Mr . Cope in the lobby of the prisoner . During the tew seconds occupied in his alighting from the vehicle , a crowd of persons gathered round anxious to catch a glimpse of the prisoner .
THE FUNERAL . On Friday , the remains of the much-respected Sergeant-Major William Shepherd were removed from the dead-house to their resting place , in Woolwich churchyard . The interest which the officers of the garrison and the inhabitants took in the day's proceedings exceeds all belief . About tUrea o ' clock the coffin , covered with black cloth , was placed on tressels affixed to tha top of the frame of a six-pound ammunition waggon , drawn by four horses . The sword of Shepherd , together with his belt , cap , and othtr accoutrements , were placed on the pall , which was borne by Sergeant-Majors Fleming and Bayfield , of the Royal Artillery ; Ledgervrood , of the Royal Horse Artillcvj ; Forbei , of the Royal Sappers and Miners ; Chapman , of the Royal Marines ; Wilkinson , of the Rifle Brigade ; Sergeant-Major Weir , of the Scotch Fusilier Guards
and Quartermaster-Sergeant M'Caskany , of the same corps . Among the officers who followed in the procesi-ion were—Lord Bioomfield , commandant of the garrison ; Colonels King , Cottingle-n , Bastard , Crawford , Ptftley , _ Dickson , and Gore ; Major Sweeting ; Captains Wingfield , Skinner , Teasdale , Furneaux , Mead , Rowland , Wright , Bent , and Savage ; Lieutenants Hamilton , Younghusband , Wilson , Clark , Rogers , Borroughwood , and Campbell , of the Royal Artillery , and the following officers belonging to the Royal Marines : —Colonel Wjngrove , commanding officer ; Colonel Mercer ; Captains Hughes , Lennard , Gray , and Wood ; Dr . Parkin ; Lieutenants Onslov / , Henley ; besides a number of officers of the Rifla Brigade , and all the quartermasters and noa-commission ? d offhers of the Artillery . Rifles , Marines , and Sapjieiij and Miners ^ stationed at Woolwich .
Mr . Watts , the high constable , and a posse of peace officers preceded the procession , followed by Captain Wingfisld , the adjutant on duty , and Lord Bioomfield , and his aidecamp , on horseback . Aft . r his Lordship came the brass band of the Sappers and Miners , and the bands of the Royal Artillery and Marines , who played , in grand style , " The Dead March , " in Saul . The body next followed . Mourners : The deceased ' s eldest son , George Shepherd ; two younger sons , of the age of about eight and ten , who were absorbed in grief ; and , lastly , an exceedingly pretty little girl about three , and a fine chubby-faced boy , about lour or five years of age , who appeared to be unconscious of the cause that attracted the anxious gaze of the multitude . The former of the children was carried by a gunner named
Ramsay . Their appearance excited the commiseration of the spectators . The non-commissioned officers of the eame rank as the deceased , bslonging to tho Marines and Artillery , and wearing large craps scarfs , followed , and after them a number of the wardens of the Tower and friends of the deceased , dressed in black , many of whom had known Shepherd in his most trying campaigns . The respective officers and privates of the three corps stationed at Woolwich brought up the rear , and the procession altogether could not have been much Lss than a mile in length . On arriving at the church , the Rev . Mr . Greenlaw , rector of Woolwich , met the Rev . Messrs . Henslow , Scott , and Guthrie , chaplains to the garrison , at the entrance to the churchyard , and the corpse was borne into the church .
The Rev . Mr . Greenlaw and Mr . Henslow performed the bnrial service , and the band of the Royal Artillery executed , with brilliant vocal effect , the anthem from the Corinthians , with the instrumental accompaniment . The ceffin was afterwards deposited in the churchyard , and three rounds fired over the grave by twenty-five artillerymen , which is six above the usual complement . It is painful to state that , in all probabil . ty , the children of the deceased will be bereaved of their mother . Drs . Geldsworthy and Richardson were unremitting in their attentions to the afflicted widow daring Thursday night , and one of the chaplains has repeatedly visited her , and afforded her spiritual solace : but it is feared she will sink under the loss that she has sustained . The eldest son , a fine young man , about nineteen years of age , is a bombardier in the Royal Artillery , and Lord Bioomfield has most generously expressed his determination to see the younger children taken care of .
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THE CHARTER , T HE POOR LA W , AND THE CORN LAWS , AT DONCASTER . A short time since , we recorded tke state of feeling respecting the Charter and the Corn Laws at Doncaster . We now have to state that on Friday evening , May 31 , a large meeting assembled in the New Concert Room , in consequence of an announcment that a lecture would then be delivered on the Corn Laws and the People's Charter , by Charles Thorold Wood , jun ., Esq ,. of Campsall Hall . Tbe lecturer placed the evil tendency of the Corn Laws iu a very clear light , first showing that they were hurtful to one claf s of the people , and then proceeding to prove that , this being the case , they mu 3 t of necessity be injurious to all classes . But , said the lecturer , the unjust Corn Law is bnt one of the many vile laws which bow the people to the earth ;
and even supposing it possible to repeal that law with the present suffrage , agitation and distress must still be the order of the day . Commerce would still languish , thejpeople would still lack food and clothing , and the fallacy of class legislation would still be apparent . The Corn Law repealers , continued Mr . Wood , are no doubt honest and wellintentioned—we must give them credit lor sincerity ; bat they lRck far-sightedness . They perceive but a single defect in a system whose entire constitution is rotten . The people know their grievances sufficiently well , but hitherto they have failed to obtain redressfrom the government . The spread of knowledge has , however , opened the eyes of the people , and clearl y pointed out the true position of all legislators as public servants .. Our rulers have hitherto lorded it over the nation , and granted reforms onl
y as a mighty favor ; but hencetorth let it bo known tbat th . i only sovereign power rests with the people , and that the legislators are but iu organs , its servants , paid to carry its wish speedily into effect We will no longer permit our just rights to be unwillingly conceded at the point of the bayonet ; we will nolonger " humbly petition" for them—we will demand them , aye ! and have them . too . ( Loud cheers . ) Toobtain the repeal of this unjust law , or the concession of that just law , will no longer satisfy an enlightened nation . No ! the people of Britain have profited by experience . They have long perceived with sorrow that class-legislation hes been legislation for the apparent interests of the few against the real welfare of the many , and that , from the nature of the human mind , its tendency will ever be the same . We therefore demand , as the only measure which can restore the departed glory of England , Universal Saffrage . ( Tremendous cheeriug . ) If you wish to be free and happy , demand that the great Charter of your freedom shall fortb > with
become the law of the land . ( Loud and long continued cheering . ) This measure , and this alone , will effect your salvation . ( Renewed applause . ) But mind that you tnra not aside from this holy agitation to aeek the redress of only a part of your wrongs . Obtain Universal Suffrage * and therebj the power to legislate as the majority of the nation choases . And , above all , let your agitation be poaceiul . Let there be no bloodshed on either tide , for , be assured , there is amply sufficient moral and intellectual force in the millions of Britain to obtain all their just demand ? , without making any appeal to brute force . ( Cheers . ) But , say our opponents , you are too ignorant , to be able properly to exercise the right of voting . In the first place , it were easy to prove the assertion false ; secondly , I am prepared to show that it is the Aristocracy to whom the charge would really apply ; and thirdly , if the people be ignorant , on the heads of your legislators and " superiors" let the blame rest , for it mast be they that have produced so lamentable a state o ! things . The lecturer was vehemently applauded
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throughout 11 S excellent discourse , and he was greeted at the close with loud and rapturous cheera and waving of hats . . -Some little impleasantne ™ afterwards occurred , in consequence of Mr . Crabtree attempting to addrc SS the meeting on the Poor Law , which the Chairm an considered to he out of order Mr , Crabtree persisted , and the Chairman dissohed
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STRO ^ G CASE OF OPPRESSION UNDER THE NEW POOR LAW . The following is an Extract of a Letter addressed to Mr . Samuel Roberts , ' by Thomas Rodgers , Esq ., ot l > evonshire-8 quare , London , being the case of He / sey v . Pechell and Others : — . The plaintiff is now fort ) -nine years of age , and is one of eleven children .- He was born in the house c , r hut on South Ambersham Common , in Hants , trom which he wa ? lately ejected . At the age of sixteen he ontered the army , and having completed his term of nine years , principally abroad , and inv v 8 e exPe < lition to Walcheren , he returned to the home of his father in the year 1816 , and found it closed , and his . father dead—the death having occurred two years previousl y . Inquiring of the neighbours for the key , he was told it was in the
possession of Farmer Lee , who was almost perpetual Overseer of the place ; he went to the farmer , who returned with him to the cottage , and opening the t ° fl ? j d £ "" ttat i at Lis father's dying request , h » had held the key and the furniture for him until his return from the army , and that now the cottage and the goods were all ms own . He did in fact and the very goods which his father had . been in possession of since he could remember , and which had been given to him by his wife's friends at their original entry into the cottage in the year 1774 , and with them a be < 2 , which plaintiff himself had purchased out of hi * earnings , and had left in his father ' s care previous to his going abroad . Attached to the cottage was a garden containing about a rood of land , and planted with fruit trees , principally by his fatherthe apples _ alone have frequently measured twentv .
rive bushels , and been sold for 2 s . per bushel . On his arrival at home , he asked for no relief , having yet to spare of hisf discharge money , and beiug immediately employed by Farmer Lee , there was no occasion for any subsequent application . After continuing two years , he by the advice of the Farmer , went out of the parish in search of work , on the plea that labourers among the married men wf re abundant . On that occasion he took the key in his pocket , and returned in the autumn , when he gathered and sold his apples . Again , in the following year , he locked up his cottage , but left the key for safe custody with a neighbour ,-It so happened , that Fanner Lee , coming one uay to the spot , was told by Mrs . Sivier , the neighbour , that she had the key , aud that she was afraid of losing it ; upon which he said he would take care of it for Hearsey , and ha took it with him
away . Within six montUs afterwards , plaintiff coming to see that his cottage and furniture were all right and being informed that the key was m Lee ' s hands , he went down to him , and after asking him if-he could there be employed and answered in the negative , inquired whether he ( Lee ) would be kind enough to keep the key for him , as he could . procure jobs elsewhere ; and he thought it might be sometime before he returned , as he found it very uncomfortable to be living in the cottage without any one to take care of him . Lee acceded to hii request , and s 3 conded his intention of obtaining work in other parishes . After an absence of . about two years , plaintiff married , and brought his wife to Farmer Lee , and resumed possession of hisdwelling and garden , since which ( 1821 ) they have ; had the uninterrupted en £ y meritwithout payment of rent
, any , or making any acknowledgment .. In 1836 , the Guardians of the Poor , by order of-the Poor Law Commissioner- , pnt up this cottage , with ihree others adjoining , for sale by auction ; and the chairman , Mr . Holiest , being the onl y bidder , was declared the purchaser at . f ? i ai ? d took on himself the duty of ejecting plaintiff : he proceeded under the act , which enables two justices summaril y to eject all persons who have either intruded themselves into , or been permitted to occupy , any parish houses , on a proof of a months notice to quit : and the warrant being . granted , Jenner , the churchwarden , with sever ! assistants , forced open the door—turned plaintiff his wife , and four children out upon the commontie snow then falling ; fast—and placed a padlock upon the door . The wife being enccMe , miscarried from fright , and her health was destroyed , in all probabilty , for ever . ;—and fortunate it was that Mrs Osborne
, the widow , and an occupier of the adjoining cottage , invited . her and her infant to share her bed , otherwise the . consequencesmight have proved serious-for poor Hearjey and the three other children were obliged to sleep for months tinder a tent which ho pitched on th « common . This happened in March , and she felt extremel y weak at the ensuing harvest , although compelled by necessity to work . To bring Hearsey to , they tried the starving system ; tor South Ambersham being in the hands of three or four farmers , it was agreed that young Lee , the successor , of the Lee before-mentioned , should discharge plaintiff ( who had been in his service nine yaars ) from his employ , —and that no other individual should give him work , —and then he was obliged to apply to the Guardians for relief ; but the purchaser silting as chairman , facetiously observed to him , he was a man of property , but if he and his family wished to come -into the workhouse , they should have an order .
It was at this st 8 ge tfcat Mr . Wood , of Midhurst , a man of property ., interfered on his behalf , without success , and having heard of me as connected with the subject of the Poor Laws , he introduced the labourer to me . In consequence I prepared arpetition to the Lords and Lord Stanhope presented it ; but though it occasioned considerable debate , the only reply was that the question should be entertained by ¦ a Court of Law : —the Bishop of Exeter remarking that it was a mockery to offer such advice to a man so situated . However , one morning in September or October he foupirhis cottage door open , and in he trundled with his family , supposing the parish officers had made ' the way clear for him : he soon discovered his mistake by the service of another notice to quit , which was followed by a summons , warrant , and ouster as before ; but instead of
locking up the door , Jenner , the Guardian , ordered the roof to be taken off , and the doors and windows to be carried away . Having had a sight of the warrant , or a copy of it , I tbink it is altogether null and void ; and having that ground , as well as the ground upon the title , I have commenced an action against the four magistrates and all who were concerned in it 3 execntion , which is to be tried at the next Assizes for Winchester , by a special jury , obtained by the magistrates . The object of the motion to the Court the other day was to - < tay proceedings , unless Mr . Wood , who had spoken warmly and corresponded with me on plaintiff's behalf , would give security for costs . He shewed canse , and discharged the rnle ; but
inasmuch as the Court thought the magistrates had ground for the application , they declined to give Mr . Wood any costs , and therefor ? , for his humanity he has to pay £ 122 for the costs' of four motions , there being two sets of defendants and two actions , viz . Hearsey ' s and paborne ' s . I should not omit telling you that until his third child , Hearsey never received anything to be construed into relief , and then only as all otfeer ^ abourers part of his wages . Since 1 S 35 no relief upon commencement of these actions , but within the last quarter , the relieving officer gave _ him three loaves , and the Board have described him in their last quarterly list as a vagrant . —Sheffield Iris .
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Dkeadful C 04 . L . P 1 T Accident , with Loss of Eleven Lives . —An accident of a most appalling description took place on Tuesday afternoon in the colliery of Messrs . Braine and Co ., at Kingswood , near Bristol , by which eleven unfortunate men and boys have been hurried into eternity , their dependant families deprived of their means of sustenance , and the whole village thrown into a state of consternation and porrow . The circumstaiiees leading to and connected with the accident , as stated to ffie , are nearly as follows : —When a vein of coal upon which the pitmen have been employed becomes exhausted , it is usual for them to make a cutting of some eight or ten fathoms , at the extremity of which another vein of the mineral is most commonly found . In tfie present instance the men had been employed in cutting from an explored vein , and had got to some distance when , having unfortunately selected the direction of a vein which had been exhausted
upwards of fifty years ago , they , at about noon yesterday , cut through what is called the pillar of the old vein ; the consequence of which was , that the water , which had supplied the place of the mineral , and what is called " the laudvrater , " broke in upon them with terrific violence . At this time there were thirty-six human beings at work in the pit , and as may be readily imagined , the utmost terror and consternation prevailed among them . Such as were possessed of greater presence of mind than the other ? , or whese position in the ' pit enabled them the more readily to do se , escaped with promptitude to the mouth of the p it , and the signal of their danger having been given to those whose duty it was to look out from abeve , they were raised by means of the machinery which is usually employed for thi 3 purpose , and rescued from their perilous situation . Twenty-iWe were thus saved from impending death , but the number before stated , the greater part of whom had beea employed in a lower part of the work , perished .
The Life of a " Gentleman . " — He gets up leisurely—breakfasts comfortabl y—reads the paper regularly—dresges fashionabl y—lounges fastidiously—eats a tart , gravely—tattles insipidly dines considerably —drinks superfluously—kills time indifferently—sups elegantly—goes to bed stupidly —lives uselessly !
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), June 8, 1839, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1060/page/6/
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